It was the same today as it had been yesterday; it was probably the same as it would be tomorrow. Nothing ever changed here, except for the minor fluxuations in the family fortune.

That was all that mattered, here. Fortune. If only he could receive luck of another sort, besides money...

"...Heads a well-respected family in the royal court, but he has always been known as a man who likes to increase his fortune when possible. According to his letters... but you have seen them, haven't you?"

Namame bowed his head in affirmation, a tiny pinprick of impatience trying to break through his calm. But he was careful to keep it in check, stiffening his face into the familiar mask of deference that so charmed his parents into believing he was their precious, obedient son.

... And telling himself all the while that the old man would get to the point... eventually.

His father's intentions were obvious; the family was about to encroach upon his time yet again, and make another demand of him. And while he didn't mind helping from time to time - it got him out of the house, after all - they seemed to have forgotten how to take care of their own matters. Why do it themselves, when they could simply use him instead? He was a dutiful son, so surely he must be /more/ than happy to accomodate their whims.

They were more than lucky - Genbu had blessed them with a life most people could only dream of. But they weren't happy with it. What on earth made them think that more /money/ would make them happy, when their lives were so empty to begin with?

"... I want you to close this deal with the Liu family. Keep the advantage, if at all possible, but a simple contract will do for now. All we need is permission to work across their holdings, and we will have more than enough to fulfill our end of the bargin."

A glance up revealed the thin, bony frame of his father bent over a desk and sifting through papers, his back turned to the rest of the room. Just as it was turned to everything else... the silken elegance of the robes hanging from his shoulders seemed to encompass his entire world, sometimes.

"You've written them out already?" Namame ventured softly after a few moments of silence, hands sliding into his sleeves. "What if Liu's circumstances change, between now and my arrival in the capital? If I may ask."

There was another pause, as his father seized upon a sheaf of papers and reached for the ceremonial wrapping. "Then I expect you will know the proper modifications to make, son. I ask only that you work as closely with these terms as possible in the event of a change."

Of course. It would be a shame to lose a few pennies.

Perhaps it was unfair of him to criticize so harshly, yet... his father did nothing but try to turn a profit somehow, somewhere. His mother seemed obsessed with taking advantage of that profit by constantly hording dresses and jewelry, and his sister...

Well, girls that age /should/ be looking to get married he supposed, but he doubted any man would want a dim-witted wife at his side for eternity. And his few attempts to teach her more than basic arithmatic had met disaster - on her part. Her limited ability to /listen/ seemed to have come from their father.

What was there to praise? They had certainly succeeded in becoming rich... Namame himself had never lacked anything /material/...

But there was nothing spiritual about this life. It was like skating over the thin surface of water, feet dipping in now and then, but never penetrating into anything important. No depth, no warmth, nothing to savor.

Nothing except his books, and the silent knowledge they imparted. Nothing but those few, precious moments before Genbu's shrine, where, just for a second, he had felt almost special. Important.

The offering of the letter - wrapped in deep green and silver - interrupted Namame's thoughts. He lifted it from his father's hands, inclining his head again in thanks and rising to his feet. The letter in his hands - slight, its wrapping soft to the touch - meant less time studying, and more time wasted. He was tempted to refuse, but... that would not be wise, after he'd given his word to help.

He hated traveling... The season was wrong, and he was willing to bet the servants had neglected to pack any /books/ along with his luggage. Another hour would be wasted, while Namame attempted to remedy that oversight.

But, it would get him out of the house, and away from his family for a short time. It was a small happiness... But thank Genbu for small blessings...